Tips to keep parents sane over summer break

Republican illustration by BOB RICH
Parents on a budget often dread this time of year.
For those who can’t afford to send their kids away to camp every week, the kids are home all day, asking for $5 for this, $10 for that.
If they’re not asking for money, they’re bored, terrorizing each other or the family pet, or getting into all kinds of mischief.
Parents who don’t want to spend their days pulling their hair out ought to know there are ways to keep their children busy and content, without breaking the bank.
Pick a theme

Kids love themes. Is it a crummy, rainy day outside?

Make it “Camp Out in the Living Room Day.” Set up a tent, and have a picnic on a blanket on the floor.

“Backwards Day” is a hit with kids of all ages.

Serve up dessert for breakfast, dinner for lunch and breakfast for dinner.

Have the children put on their pajamas for the day, and change into their clothes for bed.

Most kids get a kick out of anything abnormal, so think about other changes you can make to your daily routine to make it “backward.”

On super hot days, a water theme could include squirt gun wars, water balloon fights, sprinklers and backyard water slides.

Eat homemade snow cones or build your own sundaes for dessert.

To inject a little education into your theme days, focus on a specific country.

For example, on China Day, make Chinese food, play Chinese children’s games and read about China.

Explore your hometown

Do you know everything there is to know about your hometown?

Have you visited every park, swimming hole and nature preserve? Probably not.

Do some research, and make a list of everything you haven’t experienced.

Pick a day each week to visit an unfamiliar location, or revisit one you haven’t been to in some time.

Sometimes simply visiting a new playground is all it takes to put a new spark in your child’s day.

Get it free

Are you one of those people who think nothing in life is free? Actually, there are lots of freebies out there targeted to families with children, but you have to know where to look.

Public libraries typically have passes that patrons can borrow, just like borrowing a book or a DVD.

The passes provide free or reduced price admission to museums, historic houses and other venues.

Check out town and start parks, and library programs for more freebies.

Libraries usually offer story times for kids, and some parks, like Stanley Park in Westfield, bring in regular musicians, magicians and other performers aimed at a pint-sized audience.

Cook up creativity

Are your kids always in the way while you’re in the kitchen? Let them get in the act by helping you prepare meals and desserts.

If you have an entire afternoon, really let your children get hands-on, preparing and measuring ingredients and making the dish their own.

Remember that making a mess is part of the process.

Parents can also encourage creativity through crafts.

Go through your recycling and let the kids let their imaginations go wild

Make a collage with cut-up cereal boxes.

Make caterpillars out of egg cartons.

The possibilities are endless.

Put them to work Kids who are constantly asking for the latest video game, electronics or other toy may benefit from learning a thing or two about money.

Have them go through their bedrooms, selecting items they’re willing to part with.

Help them put a value to their items and organize a tag sale.

Setting a goal for the fund-raiser based on how much cash is needed for that must-have item just might motivate them even more.

Swap the kids

If all else fails and you feel like you can’t make it through the week, find a friend to help. Set up a day and time to arrange a play date.

One week, your children will be busy with their friends at your house. The next week, while your children are happily playing at their friend’s house, you can grocery shop in peace – or maybe even get a haircut.

Start it early enough in the summer and your children, and you, will begin to look forward to the date each week.

For parents looking to keep their children entertained all summer long without spending a lot of money, September seems an eternity away.

But keeping a few tricks up your sleeve will help ease this fleeting time together until school is back in session.